My workaround allowing me to manually sort tasks

I first prioritize my tasks and then use the goals field to assign a different sequential number (01, 02, etc.) to each top priority task. This, of course, is not how the goals field is supposed to be used, but it works. I then sort first by priority and then by "goal."

I was also frustrated by not having more control over manually sorting priorities and almost gave up on Toodledo. Then I came across The one minute to do list by Michael Linenberger (1mtd.biz) which has a whole section on Toodle integrating with his approach.

Toodledo even has a link to preset your settings to match the Linenberger system. His system uses a start date approach to help reorder items so the fresh ones are on top, and you change the start date to give more fine tuning to the ordering of items in toodledo. It's not manual control, but it actually works nicely and has some logic behind it.http://www.toodledo.com/systems.php

I use the "time" part of date/time to get the sequential sorting I want. Sometimes I target actual times: Do this task 9-10 am, that one at 10, next at 11 etc. Other times, I cluster all the tasks that I'll do after lunch, but with fake times to just get the sequence I want: 1:01 pm, 1:02 pm, etc., for 6 tasks thru 1:06, even if those 6 will together take the rest of the day. I do that sometimes when I don't want to think too hard about the precise timing of each.

I'm new to Toodledo so forgive me if I'm missing something. I really like the program/app but why oh why can't you manually sort tasks? The present way of having to change priorities (or using A1, A2, B1 etc) seems like going back to the dark ages of computing (perhaps I'm being a little harsh but you get my drift), when a simple reorder facility would be perfect.

Using the Alphabetical hack for this is just not acceptable long term. I see it as a good short term solution, but the lack of sorting by dragging is a real issue for many.

To be fair, the following comment by Jake makes sense:

Other to-do sites have manual sorting because they don't have any of the other sorting methods that we have (due-date, importance, priority, etc). When you try to have both sorting by criteria and manual sorting, it gets really messy.

I was also frustrated by not having more control over manually sorting priorities and almost gave up on Toodledo. Then I came across The one minute to do list by Michael Linenberger (1mtd.biz) which has a whole section on Toodle integrating with his approach.

Toodledo even has a link to preset your settings to match the Linenberger system. His system uses a start date approach to help reorder items so the fresh ones are on top, and you change the start date to give more fine tuning to the ordering of items in toodledo. It's not manual control, but it actually works nicely and has some logic behind it.http://www.toodledo.com/systems.php

I would like to emphasize this recommendation by johnsonwarren. Linenberger's free PDF book ( http://michaellinenberger.com/free1MTD.htm ) is a good read. His MYN metodology itself is GTD-ish, but simpler - very rational. The setup for Toodledo is unproblematic and the resulting main list is very useful as it is and is sorted "manually" using Start date (task entry date) as your "tweak" parameter. You probably want to add some filters and tags etc of your own, if you perhaps want a waiting list, an errands list etc. Try it!

I was greatful for the original posting about Michael Linenberger. I had never heard of him before. I downloaded the PDF, then ended up reading his other books. So far the system seems to be working for me. I'll reserve final judgement until I see how it works over a few months.

I've implemented the 1 Minute ToDo (with modifications) after reading the PDF and I like the simplicity of it. Haven't gone past that to his other work yet but am pleased so far. The start date filtering / freshness idea is really quite good.

I too am a converted and long time Franklin-Covey user. The system is great, but their software stinks so I gave up a few years ago and find Michael Lineberger's Outlook system.

Linenberger's system works great and saved me from task overload, but it lacked the Franklin Covey system touch.

I then did what timk did - I created the A B C and a D folder then used the Toodledo 0, 1, 2, 3 priorities.

This way, I get the effect of Franklin Covey sorting and best yet, I get the folder views to look at what is important that day (It works great on my Windows 7 phone App too - See Linenberger's site for that info on the To Do App!)

I've long wanted manual sorting. Now that I've switched to Appigo's Todo Online I finally have it. And because I use their iPhone app, the manual sort syncs between the two.

It probably doesn't seem like a big deal to some but it's bliss. I don't know how I lived without it. I just have to remind myself that I can do it because I occasionally forget, having used Toodledo for a few years.